The social cycling scene in Austin is absolutely on fire these days. Led by the success of Social Cycling Austin and their Thursday Night Social Ride, social rides are popping up everywhere. In addition to Austin on Two Wheel‘s current spring ride series, the Austin Cycling Association is forgoing their May meeting for a social ride and have other rides on the horizon and groups as diverse as Texas Roller Girls and local realtors have been sharing the simple pleasure of riding with friends.

Well, the bike industry isn’t missing this either with Schwinn producing this decidedly social riding ad entitled “Let’s Go for a Ride.”

It’s a bit cheesy but still fun though the religious adherence to helmets, no matter how 1980s, seems a little out of place. Gone are the urban warrior motifs we’ve seen in the past from the bike industry replaced with people letting go of electronic devices and having fun.

May is Bike Month. Sure it would be great if you take the Austin Commuter Challenge or replace your car with your bike and Austin CarShare, but mainly just get out and do something on a bike. It can be riding catching up with a friend or buying an ice cream cone. No matter your fancy; do it on two wheels.